What a beautiful Thursday! I hope you’re able to get outside to experience God’s glorious sunshine. So nice to see all the different colors of flowers, to pick a fresh strawberry, hear the birds sing and be outside without a coat on!!

That said, this may seem like a strange request (and it is!). The Youth Mission Team will be leaving for Schenectady, New York directly after the first service. The Mission Quest they are joining has asked if they would bring new or gently used (ready?) winter clothing for ages 10 and younger. Anything! Mittens, coats, sweaters, etc etc. Tom Knapp and I were discussing this a few days ago and just went, “oh well” to each other, deciding to put the word out to you. If you would like to contribute but do not have winter apparel at your finger tips, a $5.00 donation would be appreciated as well. And certainly prayers. The kids and adults on this adventure could all use prayers!

Perhaps you’ve heard that the New England United Methodist Church Conference last week voted not to abide by the discriminatory language in the Book of Discipline. This is history making in the UMC! Two other conferences have followed suit since then and 6 others have declared that they will consider candidates for ordination only by their call and gifts.

HOPEFEST plans continue and they are getting more and more exciting!!!!! Please check out hopefestnh.org if you haven’t already. Actually, even if you have checked it out, go back and look again since things are being added often including a radio spot that our own Steve Rafter did and he’s awesome!!!!!

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Please join us at the Milford United Methodist Church, Tuesday, June 14 at 7:30 pm as we stand in solidarity and love with the Orlando LGBTQ community. This will be a vigil in support of the victims, their families, friends, and community. All are welcome (327 North River Rd, Milford)

You missed a wonderful Youth led service last Sunday if you weren’t there. Such a talented bunch of kids!! Loved all of it, the skit, the readings, the sermon, the acolytes…. everything. Thanks to all the teachers and volunteers who provided such wonderful leadership and mentoring. A big huge special thanks to Susan Drew, the “leader of the pack” whose love of God and whose leadership made it such a special year.

In case you tried to find Hopefest information via the site included in this email last week, please note that the following is the one that should be used so please delete that last one! Really really, try this out! Especially as Hopefest gets closer and closer your input will be essential. See what’s going on at:

Next Thursday through Saturday Callie (your lay representative) and I will be at the New England UMC Annual Conference in Manchester. Always an inspiring time and an opportunity for worship, Bible study and to catch up on the business aspect of the denomination in New England. We will be back each evening so if you need to reach me please use the church Parsonage phone number leaving your message, name and phone number and I’ll get back to you when I return.

Tomorrow from 7:30 to 1 is the AAAAwesome YAARD Sale! It always amazes me how much “stuff” gathers to find a new home. People have been working hard to put it together. Start with breakfast and then move on to finding treasures!

FYI the Newsletter went into the Mail yesterday. The copier broke down in the midst of printing it (yes, again!), so it’s a bit late but I predict some good reading to reach your mailbox very soon.

MUMC’s YOUTH will be leading Sunday’s service. I can’t wait to have them be part of the morning. Thanks to Susan Drew for organizing. Please come and support the great kids of the church.

A reminder that beginning on July 3 the SECOND service will be starting 15 minutes earlier, at 10:30. If you forget and come a bit late, don’t turn around, come in anyway! The 8:30 service remains at 8:30.

And if you haven’t already it’s time to check out HopeFest, MUMC’s Christian music festival coming up in August. www.hopefestNH.org Tickets are on sale now. This will be AMAZING!